MINNEAPOLIS — Major League Baseball is still more than two years away from its next labor contract – too far to predict the issues that will make or break the first negotiations for new union leader Tony Clark – but the potential issues are forming their own line.

And recent No. 1 draft pick Brady Aiken has moved ahead of major leaguers Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales in the pecking order.

Clark, who took over as union executive director after the death last year of Michael Weiner, said Tuesday that the relative importance of issues can change drastically between now the 2016 expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement.

But some of his strongest words during a meeting with baseball writers revolved around the Houston Astros' negotiations with Aiken.

"It is disappointing on any number of levels to think what has happened in that situation," Clark said. "The manipulation that we think happened in this case is going to lead us to have some conversations."

Negotiations with all draft picks must be completed by Friday but the Astros have reduced their original signing-bonus offer because their team doctor has raised concerns about the condition of Aiken's elbow.

Agent Casey Close has disputed the findings, saying Aiken has been examined and cleared by orthopedic specialists.

The dispute also could affect the Astros' offer to fifth-round pick Jacob Nix, also represented by Close, based on what portion of the team's bonus pool money ends up going to Aiken.

The Astros contend they have followed the rules and were backed Tuesday by Dan Halem, MLB's executive vice-president, labor relations.

"We believe that they have conducted themselves appropriately," Halem said. "Given that there's still a few days until the signing deadline, we're not going to say anything else at this time, and hopefully all the parties will be able to resolve this without our assistance."

Clark seemed especially concerned with the reliance on the team doctor's opinion.

"There appear to be some challenges in what we believe is the process being manipulated that will need to be addressed," he said.

As for Drew and Morales, two free agents who didn't sign until after the major league seasons began – at least in part because teams were reluctant to give up draft picks as compensation under a revision in the current CBA, more of the same could be forthcoming next winter.

Clark said it was unlikely the union would seek to re-open the CBA in search of an amendment to the compensation rule.

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